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| Macklemore | |
|---|---|
| Name | Macklemore |
| Birth name | Benjamin Hammond Haggerty |
| Birth date | 1983-06-19 |
| Birth place | Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Associated acts | Ryan Lewis, Kesha, Rihanna, Wanz, Mary Lambert, Ed Sheeran |
Macklemore is an American rapper, songwriter, and activist known for mainstream breakthrough with independent releases and outspoken positions on social issues. He garnered widespread attention through chart-topping singles and collaborations that crossed hip hop, pop, and soul, while maintaining ties to Seattle's music scene and independent production models. His career has intersected with major music institutions, touring circuits, and social movements.
Born Benjamin Hammond Haggerty in Seattle, Washington, he grew up in the Capitol Hill neighborhood and attended Garfield High School and later studied at Gonzaga University before transferring to Western Washington University and Seattle Central College. His family background includes ties to the Pacific Northwest arts scene and local community institutions. During adolescence he participated in regional performances and was influenced by Seattle-area venues and peers.
He began performing in the early 2000s, releasing independent mixtapes and albums while engaging with the Pacific Northwest music scene and DIY distribution networks. His collaboration with producer Ryan Lewis culminated in the independently released album that produced the single "Thrift Shop", which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and gained international attention through viral sharing and playlisting on platforms tied to major touring artists. Subsequent singles like "Can't Hold Us" and "Same Love" propelled him to mainstream festival billing at events such as Lollapalooza, Glastonbury Festival, and the iTunes Festival, and led to television appearances on programs including Saturday Night Live and award ceremonies hosted by institutions like the MTV Video Music Awards and the Grammy Awards. He has toured on headline runs and supported major artists on North American and international legs, working with promoters associated with venues such as Madison Square Garden, Staples Center, and the O2 Arena. Beyond record sales, he has navigated relationships with major distributors, independent labels, and digital media companies.
His music blends elements drawn from hip hop lineage and pop production, referencing samples and motifs familiar to artists in the lineage of Run-DMC, Public Enemy, and A Tribe Called Quest while also integrating pop melodies reminiscent of collaborators like Pharrell Williams and Mark Ronson. Lyrically, his work addresses social topics similar in thematic scope to recordings by Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, and Common, and production choices echo techniques used by producers such as Rick Rubin and Dr. Dre. His vocal delivery and songwriting show influences from Seattle contemporaries and crossover figures including Sir Mix-a-Lot and Mack 10, and his live performances have drawn comparisons to ensembles that blend genres like The Roots and solo artists who navigate pop charts such as Bruno Mars.
He has collaborated with a diverse array of artists across genres, including pop singers Kesha, Rihanna, and Ed Sheeran, soul vocalists like Mary Lambert and Wanz, and hip hop figures such as Chance the Rapper, Lil Wayne, and Travis Barker. Production and remix partnerships have involved professionals and entities like Ryan Lewis, Mick Schultz, and labels associated with Capitol Records and independent distributors. Side projects include guest appearances on tracks with acts from the indie and mainstream sectors, participation in charity singles alongside members of Band Aid-style ensembles, and involvement in documentary projects connected to music festivals and touring documentaries produced by companies tied to the live music industry.
He has publicly discussed struggles and recovery from substance use, speaking at events and partnering with organizations that work on addiction recovery and mental health policy alongside advocacy groups and public health institutions. His activism includes advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights reflected in campaigns and benefit performances aligned with organizations similar to Human Rights Campaign and participation in public discussions with lawmakers and cultural institutions. He has supported causes through benefit concerts and charity partnerships with foundations and non-profit entities, and has engaged with community arts programs in Seattle, collaborating with local institutions and civic arts councils.
His work earned industry recognition including multiple Grammy Award nominations and wins, chart distinctions on Billboard rankings, and honors from media institutions and music industry organizations. He received accolades at award shows such as the MTV Video Music Awards and critics' recognition in outlets associated with major publications. His singles attained multi-platinum certification through national recording industry associations, and he has been profiled in cultural retrospectives by broadcasters and print institutions.
Studio albums include early independent releases and mainstream albums that achieved commercial success, with singles charting on the Billboard Hot 100 and international charts administered by organizations in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Notable releases involved collaborations resulting in award-winning singles and streaming milestones recognized by platform-specific charts and industry bodies in North America and Europe.
Category:American rappers Category:Musicians from Seattle